Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 6, “Child Genius” will air on the Lifetime Network as an eight-episode, weekly unscripted docu-series following high IQ kids and their families. The kids compete in a competition throughout the series, which was developed with the cooperation of American Mensa.

The show is produced by Shed Media, which also produces the same series in the United Kingdom and worked with UK Mensa in the same capacity in which American Mensa is participating. The UK show is in its third season. UK Mensa referred Shed Media to American Mensa when the company decided to do an American version of the series.

The unscripted series will focus on the realities, opportunities, and even the frustrations and drama that many gifted children and their families experience. Mensa saw its participation as an opportunity to consult, provide insight and perhaps add some balance to an unscripted show. Lisa Van Gemert, Mensa’s Youth and Education Ambassador, is featured in each episode, explaining the week’s competition.